Monday, April 30, 2012

Who are you to tell my daughter how to dress?

Last week, the elegant
Roostertail - where U of D Jesuit hosts its prom - made the news when it released its 2012 Prom Dress Code. A first
for this institution, the owner of the establishment decided that it was time
for someone to help students distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate
attire.

Roostertail 2012 Prom Dress
Code:

1. A young lady’s hemline
should be no shorter than 6” above the knees.
2. Dresses may be backless,
as long as they are not cut below the waist line.
3. No midriff-bearing
cutouts.
4. Slits cannot go
further than 6” above the knee.
5. No plunging neck
lines, modest cleavage is OK.
6. Ladies, if you plan
to remove your shoes, bring flats.
7. Gentlemen are not
to remove, unbutton, or untuck their shirt.
8. Gentlemen must keep
their shoes on.

A parent or guardian is only
allowed to come to the Roostertail in case of emergency. Parents and guardians
must also abide by the Dress Code. Example: no jeans, shorts, flip-flops,
cut offs, halter tops, etc. At no time will families or friends be
allowed on the Roostertail property.

As the person in charge of
prom for the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, I applaud this effort. I
admire Mr. Schoenith for having the courage to do something that certainly will
bring the ire of certain parents. Can't you hear it already? I sure can: "Who are you to tell my daughter what she
can wear?"

In his 1979 encyclical Redemptor
Hominis, Blessed John Paul II
wrote:

...Christ the Redeemer "fully
reveals man to himself". If we may use the expression, this is the human
dimension of the mystery of the Redemption. In this dimension man finds again
the greatness, dignity and
value that belong to his humanity. In the mystery of the Redemption man becomes
newly "expressed" and, in a way, is newly created. He is newly
created! (10.1)

A rite of passage, Prom helps to mark
the transition from adolescence into adulthood. It is an exciting event,
certainly made somewhat nerve-wracking for many young women who fret about
finding the perfect dress. How ironic that, for many, they will pay more money
to purchase less material! Some of the dresses are simply outrageous, leaving
absolutely nothing to the imagination...much to the chagrin of the chaperones
and to the delight of some of the young men!

As a Catholic, I believe in the
inherent dignity of the human person. Furthermore, I take seriously Gareth
Moore's insight that, "Christian life is a preparation for the restoration
of all things when Christ comes as king." We are called to live our lives
here and now as we will live them in
God's Kingdom. To my mind, this starts with recognizing our mutual human
dignity, treating one another as persons rather
than as objects.

I think the Prom can be a wonderful
event for students and families, a special night to celebrate one's high school
experiences and to look to the unknown future. Asking the young women and men
to adhere to a dress code and to comport themselves as ladies and gentlemen
serves as a great lesson that a fun and memorable evening can be had while
respecting one another. Dresses and styles may come into and out of fashion,
but a constant regard for human dignity and forming our students to recognize
this in one another will never go out of style.

About Me

About This Blog

This is a blog dedicated to sharing the unfolding story of my Jesuit vocation and journey. Along the way I'll share my faith, my stories, my thoughts, and my love of Irish music. Please join me as I explore what it means to be a Companion of Jesus in today's church. (Disclaimer: any opinions expressed are solely the blogger's and do not intend to represent the feelings/thoughts/positions of the Society of Jesus)